Nikon 1 V2 review: Evolution, stasis or regression?

Launched in October 2012, the Nikon 1 V2 is a not unexpected update to the Nikon 1 V1, which debuted in September 2011. The Nikon 1 Series cameras are hybrid cameras with interchangeable lenses. In the case of the V1 and V2, they fall at the upper end of the segment, offering more features and a higher performance level than their more consumer oriented brethren, the Nikon 1 J1 and J2.

Featuring a 14.2megapixel ‘CX’ sized CMOS sensor and an EXPEED 3A processing engine, the camera claims to offer high resolution images. An ISO range from 160 to 6400 suggests Nikon feel it will perform well in low light too.

The AF system is another area of interest as the V2 is able to switch automatically between a 73-point system using phase detection and a 135-point system based on contrast that uses the camera sensor for AF. If you’re interested in capturing motion, the V2 has that covered too, with up to 15fps shooting speed when using AF or 60fps when using single shot shooting.

All of this suggests the Nikon 1 V2 should be a formidable tool for capturing high quality images. Let’s see how it stacks up in the sensor tests.

Further readings for the Nikon 1 V2 review: Evolution, stasis or regression?

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

In the Nikon 1 line of digital compacts with interchangeable lenses, the V2 brings some nice new features: shooting at 60 i/s, Full HD video recording in 60p, different modes for slow motion, and … a new 1-inch, 14.2-megapixel, 6400 ISO CMOS sensor that we can hardly wait to test! But while we wait for its appearance on the market, here’s all the skinny on the Nikon 1 V2.

Comments

Does the 1 have a market?

The V2 with FT1 mount adapter and high burst rate seems like an attractive proposition for Nikon owners until you look into the details. The FT1 is limited to center point single servo AF, which makes it nearly useless for moving subjects. So you'll have to use native Nikon 1 glass for any kind of action photography, and those lenses are large, heavy, and low in optical quality versus their M43rd competitors. And the DxO tests show that anyone shooting a D800 or even a D5200 will be painfully disappointed by the image quality coming out of their V2. The only photographers that would benefit from Nikon 1 are those upgrading from a camera phone. And then they would be better served by other cameras, including the M43rds system or even the Sony RX100.

Nikon 1 V2: Evolution, stasis or regression?

The review misses the whole point of this camera. The V2 has a huge attraction, by using the FT-1 Mount Adapter it is possible to mount pretty much any Nikon DSLR lens. Taking into account the dslr like autofocus and the X2.7 crop factor the excellent Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (around £330) becomes a 190-810mm lens, just great for birds and wildlife.

The lens, FT-1 and camera would weigh around 1100gr and cost $1300ish (but will come down). An APS-C camera with similar spec would weigh close to 5000gr & cost $9000ish. Sure, its a fact that the resolution of the APC-S camera would be superior, but would it be 3900gr & $7700 superior?

First replies for this comment

Re: Gotta' give them credit

I usually don't feed the trolls, but how a camera with solid IQ, and blazing fast AF, and a huge buffer (capable of 12 fps with the J1 and 16 fps with the V1) a dead-end?

So Nikon with it's first try made a camera with a smaller sensor that is competitive with many larger sensor cameras like the EP3, and absolutely demolishes the competition when it comes to processing data, fps, PDAF on the sensor, etc.

The Nikon 1 sounds alive and well to me. Few will lose sleep over it over your dislike of the Nikon 1 and tons of people will continue to buy it. Nice try though.

Re: Gotta' give them credit

Re: Gotta' give them credit

Aaron, your post is clearly a troll. Have you ever used a 1? I shot the Pikes Peak Hill Climb this year with a V1 and a D700. In some ways the V1 is faster, and the results fabulous. Really, a dead-end product. Not for those willing to look past the idiots trashing a camera they have not used.